by Diane Rapp
“How long have you worked as an insurance appraiser?” Jason leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees. The posture caused Theodore to stiffen, and he twisted the handkerchief in his pudgy fingers.
“I’ve been with the company for thirty years.” Emily offered him a glass of iced tea and he sipped the liquid gratefully. He set the glass on a coaster and leaned back into the sofa cushions.
“Do you specialize in art or can you appraise other items?”
Theodore’s eyelids fluttered, and he cleared his throat. “I’ve also appraised antique furniture, jewelry, and rare books.” He rubbed his forehead with the handkerchief again and eyed the glass of iced tea. “Look here, what is this all about?” he asked.
Emily answered, “We want to know why you failed to add the value of the diamonds into your appraisal of Glacier Blue.”
“Diamonds?” His voice cracked and his eyes widened. “What makes you think there were diamonds under the paint?”
“We didn’t say anything about them being under the paint.” Jason sneered and put the plastic bag with the diamond on the table next to Theodore’s glass. “A witness gave us this and said it came from the painting.”
“Well…how could I be expected to know…?” he sputtered and tried to stand. “I must speak with my lawyer.” His shaking legs couldn’t support his weight, and he fell back onto the sofa. “You can’t charge me with the theft! I had nothing to do with that.”
Emily shook her head sadly. “We’re not interested in charging you with a crime, Theodore. We’d rather know who paid you off.”
He grabbed the iced tea and gulped the cool liquid. “I didn’t take money! They made me do it…I couldn’t let them tell my wife about that girl.” He sobbed into his handkerchief, and Emily gently removed the glass from his trembling hands.
Emily’s soothing voice crooned, “Now, now, Theodore. We understand the pressure they put on you. Tell us exactly what happened.”
“It was just a fling, never happened before, and I should have realized she’d never take an interest in me. They had photos.” His face drooped like a basset hound as he appealed for their understanding. “That painter, the one who died, made me doctor my appraisal. I never knew he planned to steal that painting, I swear.”
“The woman who seduced you, was it Cynthia Young?” Jason asked.
“Yes, I met her at a cocktail party.”
Jason nodded and gazed at the sad little man. “What else can you tell us about this painting and the original artist?”
Theodore visibly relaxed. “The original artist, Reginald Pierpont used his art for experiments. He mixed real gold flecks in the paint for his Glacier Gold painting, and we all knew he inserted colored crystals and semi-precious gems into his other glacier paintings. I assumed that he did the same thing with this painting to enhance the illusion of blue northern lights. There are some very good crystals he might have used.”
“We found notes by Jeffrey Miller about selenite, fluorite, and benitoite.”
Theodore raised his eyebrow and nodded. “Clever guy, but I’d bet he didn’t use any of those crystals in his copy. Selenite glows light blue but it recently gained fame as the clear crystal used to carve skulls. Fluorite fluoresces dark blue but looks green in its natural state, and benitoite has become quite expensive in recent years. It’s the state gem of California, and benitoite jewelry is currently selling at fairly high prices. I’d bet Miller bought Swarovski crystals coated with boron to make them fluoresce.”
“But you originally thought Reginald Pierpont might have used those crystals in his painting?”
“It was a reasonable assumption, since those gems were cheap in his day. I was astounded to find real diamonds under the paint. It makes sense since he owned diamond mines. In the early 1900s the deep blue color of the Hope Diamond, and its reputed curse, created a lot of press. Pierpont’s diamond mines were in the same region in India where the Hope Diamond originated, so I assume it was easy for him to find diamonds of the perfect color. He inserted clear or light blue diamonds in light areas, the aurora and the white ice, but deep blue diamonds produced that extraordinary dark color in the depths of the glacier and in the water.
“You must realize that ultraviolet, black light was discovered by American physicist Robert William Woods around the time Pierpont painted the canvas. Wealthy people threw fancy parties illuminated by Wood’s lamps. Under a black light, Glacier Blue becomes absolutely luminescent! I believe Pierpont used diamond dust mixed in his paint, to make it fluoresce more than usual.”
Jason asked, “Why didn’t word leak out that Pierpont put diamonds in this painting?”
“He kept it secret, even from his family, and no professionals inspected the work until Sir Cedric signed an agreement to donate the painting. It hung in the family home for over a hundred years, and Reginald Pierpont didn’t consider it valuable. Recently several other Pierpont pieces garnered high auction prices, due to rarity and subject matter.” Theodore grinned and shook his head. “I doubt Sir Cedric knows about the diamonds, since my company was the first to insure it.”
Jason said, “You’re a real piece of work. I hope you spend a few years in jail.”
“But you said you don’t care to prosecute me!” he blustered.
Jason shook his head. “No. We’ll let your company take care of that for us.”
Emily said, “It’s time to leave, Mr. Noble. You can be sure I’ll notify your superiors about your deception.”
Noble climbed to his feet and headed to the door without another word. After the door shut, Emily slumped and rubbed her forehead. “I hope Sir Cedric won’t sue CCL for the full value of his painting when he learns about the diamonds.”
Natalia asked, “He can’t do that, can he?”
Emily sighed. “Lawsuits take years to conclude and would surely hurt the company, regardless of merit. I must speak with our attorneys right away.”
*****
Robert Long watched from the upper deck as the National Park Service boat met the Aurora. Soon Cynthia Young climbed into the launch accompanied by a tall black man and a park ranger. Robert clenched his teeth, and his long fingers turned white as he gripped the handrail tight.
Millie came out on deck and said, “I’ve had a devil of a time finding you. We need to go over the plan for the auction tomorrow, since Jeffrey is not here to handle the sale.”
Robert nodded and turned away from the railing. “I’ll be happy to describe the Sydney Laurence painting for you. After all, I was scheduled to paint that fake until Miller joined the team.”
Millie sighed. “Yes, I guess I’m lucky I didn’t paint the glacier painting, or I might be lying dead right now.” She walked through the glass door and felt a whoosh of warm air against her face.
“Don’t think he died because he painted that canvas. I hear he was the thief that stole it, and the buyer did him in.” Robert’s long legs carried him swiftly down the corridor to the elevator banks, making Millie nearly run to keep up.
“Why would he steal the painting? He could paint forgeries so well that he could make a bundle if he turned to crime.”
Robert tilted his head and gave her a wry grin. “What makes you think he didn’t do that, too?”
Millie gasped. “I’m the one who recommended him to the company! Do you think this will all come out?” She bit her lip as she remembered her turbulent affair with Miller.
“Don’t know why his forgeries should come into question, and his contacts in the underworld might want to remain in the shadows.”
They climbed into the elevator and pushed the down button. “I’m relieved it’s the final auction. Do you plan to fly out from Anchorage?” Millie asked.
Robert nodded. “I’ve got a show to organize for next week, small stuff compared to these paintings, but I’ve got to pay the rent on my castle.”
Millie giggled. “Someday I’ve got to see this castle. Does it really have turrets and a resident ghost?”
“How long have you been working on it, fifteen years? I thought you’d be finished by now.”
“If I had the proceeds from just one of those paintings we copy, I’d be done in a month. As a working stiff, I must guard my pennies and do work myself.”
She sighed. “I know what you mean. When I heard the glacier painting got nabbed, I wished I’d had the courage to do it. Now, I’m glad that I’m too cowardly. Here we are.”
The two artists made their way to the painting vault, flashed their credentials to the security guard and opened the door.
“Someone has been moving the inventory,” Robert grumbled. “They put the paintings back in the wrong order.”
“I wonder what they were looking for,” Millie said. “Let’s get it fixed. We can’t afford to have the men bring out the wrong paintings tomorrow.”
“Okay. Painting #634 should be in slot H…painting #635 should be in slot M…”
Chapter 15
Day at Sea
Kayla stretched like a cat in the king-sized bed. She held up her hand and appreciated her sparkling new wedding ring. “Good morning, Mrs. Young,” Steven’s sexy voice purred in her ear.
She rolled onto her side and gave him a lingering kiss. “Good morning, Mr. Young. What a great way to wake up.”
Steven wrapped his arms around her and nibbled on her neck.
Tap, tap, tap.
Steven frowned, afraid that his ex-wife might be on the other side of the door again. He said, “Just ignore them, Luv. We’re newlyweds and no one should be disturbing us this morning.”
Kayla tickled him and said, “We must get up to eat. I ordered breakfast to be delivered at 10:00 a.m. and guess what time it is?”
“Breakfast? I could do with a pot of tea.” He slipped into his robe and plodded out of the bedroom into the living room of the bridal suite.
“Bloody Hell!” he said. Kayla jumped out of bed, grabbed her robe, and ran into the living room. She found Jason and Natalia, keeping a room service cart between them and an angry bride groom. “What are you two doing here? Can’t you let us have one day to ourselves?” Steven barked and held up his fists in a boxer’s stance.
Jason lifted the lid off a plate of bacon and allowed the smell to permeate the room. “We’re here with your order, sir.”
Steven grabbed a piece of crisp bacon and scowled as he munched.
Natalia said, “We won’t take much of your time but this is important.” She opened a green notebook and pointed at the page. “Jeffery Miller drew a diagram of a Chinese puzzle box and wrote out a code for opening it.”
Steven craned his neck to see the page. Kayla snatched the notebook and sat down, eating a piece of bacon. “You think it’s where he hid the painting?” she asked.
Natalia slid into the spot next to Kayla and held out the plastic bag. “Miller gave this diamond to Cynthia for safe keeping. Turns out there’s a fortune of diamonds under the paint in Glacier Blue. We don’t think he had time to take them out, so the painting might be in that box.”
“Diamonds!” Steven lifted the lid off another plate and scooped a serving of scrambled eggs onto a fresh plate. “Wouldn’t the art appraiser alert us to that fact?” He buttered his toast and smeared on marmalade before he sat at the table to eat.
“We spoke to Theodore Noble, the appraiser, last night and he admitted to undervaluing the painting.” Jason eyed Steven’s bacon and eggs, but Natalia’s glare warned him not to poach. “Apparently Cynthia seduced Noble, and Jeffrey Miller blackmailed him to keep quiet about the diamonds.”
Steven rolled his eyes. “That woman will be the death of me. Now she’s into blackmail. Next you’ll claim she had another lover who murdered Miller for the diamonds.” He poured a cup of tea from the thermos jug and added a heaping spoonful of sugar.
“I doubt it. She’s terrified the killer will get to her next, so we got her off the ship. I sent Jeremy Greene to guard her until the state police pick her up in Anchorage.”
Steven raised his gaze. “Why didn’t you let that park service chap watch over her?”
“Natalia felt he acted a bit dodgy,” Jason said.
Steven nodded and glanced at Natalia. “She asked me to contact Interpol about him, thought he was keeping a close watch on you, Jason. Unfortunately I forgot to check my e-mails last night.” He powered up his Blackberry and frowned. “We’re out of range, so I’ll check when we get closer to Kodiak.”
“Cynthia will be safe in Jeremy’s company,” Natalia said, glancing at Kayla to determine her reaction to the problem.
Kayla said, “I’m relieved she’s gone and not throwing herself at Steven. I hope the state police stash her in the wilds of Alaska until the trial. It would serve her right.”
Steven chuckled. “I’d love to see Cynthia trudging through snowbanks in Manolo Blahnik shoes, carrying her Gucci bag.”
“How do you know what brand of shoes and bag she carries?” Kayla huffed.
“My dear, I was married to the woman, so I paid her outrageous bills. I couldn’t believe the price of those accessories until I saw the receipts.”
Steven sipped his tea, deep in thought. “The only box I can think of that is large enough to hold that painting is Sir Cedric’s coffin. Maybe we should take another look at it.” He took the notebook and studied the page with the diagram.
Jason grinned. “We kept a guard on the baggage storage room. If the painting’s inside the coffin, it’s not going anywhere soon.”
Kayla took a sweet roll from the cart and poured herself a cup of coffee. “You two should help us eat the rest of this.” She put cream and sugar into her coffee and headed toward the bedroom. “I can be dressed in fifteen minutes, so don’t leave without me.”
Steven smiled, “That’s my wife! She can’t stay away from an enquiry, even on her honeymoon.”
Jason glanced at Natalia and smiled. “Knew they’d come with us,” he whispered.
“I heard that!” Steven griped. “At least you didn’t come barging in here last night.” He noticed Natalia’s grin and said, “Thanks for keeping him away on my wedding night. I’d better get dressed, or Kayla will surely get annoyed.”
Twenty minutes later, the two couples moved golf bags aside and stood gazing at the expensive coffin. Steven bent to examine the tight seams of the expertly crafted box. “I’ve seen magicians’ boxes that were built like this.” He pointed at a horizontal line. “I didn’t notice before as I was too busy looking into the brass handrails, but there’s a definite opening here. I’m dashed if I understand how to make it work.”
Natalia read the complicated set of moves in Jeffrey’s notebook. “Look at the drawing and compare it to the coffin,” she said. “Slide panel A…push key into matching slot…pull panel B…lift left handle two inches…Do you recognize panel A?”
Steven sat on the floor and moved his gaze from the drawing to the underside of the coffin. “Perhaps this bit might move,” he said and pushed against the grain of wood underneath the handrail. “It moved half an inch, and I see a depression here that could accept a small key.”
Jason peered at the hole. “Who in deuces would make a key shaped like that?”
“A clever technician made that lock.” Steven sighed and slid the panel back into place. “We won’t be picking that lock anytime soon. We must find that key.”
Kayla asked, “Didn’t you find a cufflink, shaped like a pirate’s flag, under the body?”
“Clever girl! I knew there was a reason I needed to marry a smart woman. Stay here while I go fetch that key from our evidence locker.”
Kayla leaned against the coffin while they waited for Steven. “How does one find an illicit diamond broker for stolen goods? You suppose Jeffrey knew someone fr
om previous deals?”
Jason rubbed his chin. “Most diamonds are sold in Antwerp and New York. I understand that laser markings are inscribed to insure people are not buying blood diamonds, but a black market still thrives for the stones.”
“We should check to see if anyone on the ship deals with jewelry,” Natalia said. “I’ve notice a few ladies who flash lots of sparkling rocks.”
Steven rushed back into the storage room and sat next to the coffin. He carefully slid the first panel and inserted the head of the cufflink, rotating until it clicked into place. “Here goes.” He turned the key and a new panel popped out. “I guess this is panel B.” He pulled the panel and lifted the left side of the handrail. Silently a drawer slid out from underneath the coffin, and the four investigators sighed as they looked at the sparkling canvas.
“So what do we do now?” Kayla asked.
Jason and Steven looked at each other. “We close the drawer and wait to see if someone comes to fetch the painting.”
“Shouldn’t we tell Sir Cedric that his painting is safe?” Kayla asked. “Emily will be relieved that her insurance company won’t be paying out a large check.”
Steven shook his head. “We still need to solve the murder, so we need to use this painting as bait.”
Natalia frowned. “Why not put the fake painting into the drawer and keep the real one in the vault?”
Jason grinned. “This place is safe and technically the painting is in the possession of its owner. We’ll make sure the insurance company delays payment on the claim until we’ve found the killer.”
Steven closed the drawer and the panels automatically slid back into place. “I wonder how many keys there are like this,” he said. “Jason, would you contact the manufacturer of the coffin to find out?”
“Good idea.” Jason took the cufflink and zipped it into a hidden pocket in his vest. “I’ll also change the schedule to place my best men on guard duty here. If we drop the security scans of passengers exiting the ship, it might make the killer feel more secure about retrieving the goods.”